Dell is one of the most renowned PC manufacturers out there and for good reason. The company makes some of the best laptops you can buy today, particularly with its XPS and Inspiron families. However, these high-end laptops aren't cheap. If you're looking for something more affordable, we've rounded up the best Dell laptops you can buy for under $500—or close to it.
We tried to stick to prices under $500 as much as possible, but unfortunately, Dell actually doesn't make a lot of laptops in this price range anymore. Some of these laptops are currently discounted, and that's often the only way you can get a solid laptop that is even close to $500. But don't plan to raise your budget just yet, as there are still plenty of solid laptop options actually in this price range.
The best laptops for around $500
Dell Inspiron 15 3525
The Dell Inspiron 15 (3525) offers AMD Ryzen performance, a 120Hz FHD display, and solid internal storage at a surprisingly low price point. Barring a big sale on a mid-tier laptop, the 3525 offers the most bang for your buck.
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- 120Hz FHD display
- Solid battery life
- Mediocre webcam
- Bulky design
Dell doesn't make many laptops with AMD processors, but if you're on a tight budget, an AMD laptop might just be the best option available right now. The Dell Inspiron 15 (3525) is powered by AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and has well-rounded specs overall.
This version comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, which is still a very capable processor. AMD's integrated Radeon GPU is also solid for what it is, though it's not that good for gaming. This model also includes 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage, so it rounds out a very solid experience for a laptop at this price.
As the name indicates, the Dell Latitude 15 has a 15.6-inch FHD panel. Notably, it has a 120Hz refresh rate, which you really don't see on other laptops this cheap. High refresh rates are usually brought up for gaming, but they can also just make normal animations and movement feel a lot smoother, so this is really nice to see. The webcam above the display has 720p resolution, just like every other laptop on this list.
Design-wise, the Dell Inspiron 15 look is pretty sleek, though the laptop is still made from plastic, so it's not going to feel very premium. It is 21.07mm at its thickest point, and it weighs 3.71 pounds, so its size is fairly average. You should still be able to take it with you almost anywhere.
That design makes way for a relatively ample selection of ports. This model comes with one USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a combo audio jack, and a full-size SD card reader. This is a decent setup that covers the basics for most users, especially considering its price point.
Dell Inspiron 15
This Intel version of the Inspiron 15 (3511) offers great performance, similar to the AMD model above. It also has an FHD touchscreen display and decent battery life too.
- Decent price-to-performance ratio
- Solid battery life
- 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen display
- No USB-C ports
- Mediocre webcam
If you prefer Intel-powered laptops, this version of the Dell Inspiron 15 is the right pick for you. It has a slightly older processor series, but it's still a very capable machine in its own right.
In terms of performance, the Dell Inspiron 15 comes with up to an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7, which should get you solid performance for basic tasks like browsing the web or writing up documents. It even includes Intel Iris Xe graphics so that it can handle some very light gaming too. You get 8GB of RAM, more than enough to have multiple apps open at once, and 256GB of SSD storage to offer a decent amount of space for files.
The Inspiron 15 comes with an FHD panel, which is sharp enough to look great on a 15.6-inch display like this one. This version includes touch support but does not also have the 2-in-1 form factor to make full use of it. Like most other laptops on this list, the camera on the Inspiron 15 is just 720p.
Similar to the AMD-powered version, this Dell Inspiron 15 comes in a black colorway. It's still a plastic laptop, so build quality isn't exactly premium. It's relatively portable, weighing 3.83 pounds, and measuring between 17.5mm and 18.99mm in thickness. In terms of ports, this machine comes with three USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a full-size SD card reader, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a proprietary charger port. There's no USB Type-C, which is an odd omission in 2021.
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a solid 15-inch laptop at an affordable price, and even though there are some downsides, it's still a great choice. It's one of the best Dell laptops you can get for under $500.
Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (7635)
The Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (7635) is a convertible laptop that delivers modern AMD performance, from its cheapest variant to its most expensive. This makes it a powerful option if you are willing to stretch your budget.
- 2-in-1 convertible form factor
- Powerful Ryzen 5 CPU
- 16-inch FHD+ touchsreen display
- High price tag
Yes, the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (7635) is technically over the budget limitation, but if you absolutely must have a laptop with the premium convertible hinge, then you should expect to pay a bit more than $500 (barring a sale). And in fairness, convertible laptops do offer a degree of versatility you can't get with a regular laptop.
This version has a lower set of specs compared to the mid-tier model we recently reviewed, but it still packs some solid specs. This version includes an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, which handles productivity functions and multitasking without issue. In tandem with that, you get 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which isn't overly impressive, but gets the job done.
The biggest pro of this model is the display, which is a 16-inch FHD+ 1920x1200 touchscreen. It is probably the best display on this roundup, although it only has a max refresh rate of 60Hz. The webcam is 1080p, which is a nice upgrade over other options too.
Design-wise, the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 is about what you would expect. It's a silver laptop with a relatively modern design, and the 18.99mm thickness is far from bad for a convertible at this price. It weighs 4.40 pounds, so it should still be relatively easy to carry around wherever you go. In terms of ports, you get one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, HDMI 1.4, a headphone jack, and a full-size SD card reader, which means there's pretty solid variety here.
Even though it's not under $500 at full price, this is the cheapest 2-in-1 Dell laptop available and offers some performance and ergonomic upgrades that could make it worth stretching your budget just a bit.
Dell Vostro 3530
The Dell Vostro 3530 is an entry-level business laptop with all the requisite features for a productivity machine. It may go a bit over the target budget, but it has a snappy 13th-generation i5 CPU and a surprisingly nice 120Hz FHD display.
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- 120Hz FHD display
- Included Windows 11 Pro license
- High price tag
- Limited internal storage
We had to again break our own rules for this one, but we wanted to include a business laptop option with a Windows 11 Pro license. And if that's what you're looking for, the Dell Vostro 3530 is the closest you can get to our price range.
First off, let's talk performance. The Dell Vostro 3530 is powered by an Intel Core i5-1335U, and while that's towards the lower/end of Intel's lineup, it can handle all kinds of day-to-day tasks just fine. This model also comes with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which is totally fine on a budget laptop.
The display is a 15.6-inch panel, and it comes with Full HD resolution, or 1920x1080. More notably, the display actually has a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes everything on the screen appear that much smoother and more pleasant to the eyes. The webcam is also a 720p camera.
As for the design, it's probably what you'd expect. Its color is Titan Gray, and it looks sleek enough considering its price point. It's made from plastic, as you should expect in this price range, and it's also fairly thick, reaching 19mm at its thickest point. It also weighs 4.19 pounds, which is reasonable for a 15-inch laptop.
Like most business laptops, one thing the Dell Vostro 3530 gets right is the ports. It has one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports (one with DisplayPort Alt Mode 1.4), one universal audio port, one HDMI 1.4 port, and one RJ45 Ethernet port. If you can stretch your budget a bit or you find an even better sale, don't miss out on this one.
Dell Latitude 3120
The Dell Latitude 3120 2-in-1 has a durable design and solid specs for younger children to use at school.
- 2-in-1 convertible form factor
- Durable and lightweight
- Low price tag
- Dated processor
- Limited internal storage
The Latitude 3120 2-in-1 checks all the right boxes for a laptop for a young student. It is lightweight and functional, plus it has rubberized edges that can withstand up to 2.5-foot drops onto steel or 4-foot drops onto plywood.
Performance-wise, the Latitude 3120 2-in-1 comes with an Intel Celeron N5100 CPU, which won't be as fast as the processors in other devices, but should deliver better battery life in return. The laptop can also be configured with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD while still staying under the $500 budget. The memory is good enough for a young child using one app at a time, and having SSD storage is a big plus. Many devices in this price range opt for slower eMMC storage.
This is an 11-inch device, which is partly why it's ideal for younger students. The resolution is 1366x768, which isn't great, but it's more acceptable with a smaller screen like this. Because this is a 2-in-1, it also supports touch, giving children a more intuitive way to interact with their PC. It's not extremely portable, though, weighing 3.12 pounds and measuring over 21mm in thickness. The Latitude 3120 also has a decent selection of ports for its small size. You get two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a proprietary power connector.
For a price under $500, this is one of the best Dell laptops you can buy for younger students. You can find cheaper devices running Chrome OS, but if you prefer Windows, this is the way to go.
Dell Chromebook 3110 2-in-1
The Dell Chromebook 3100 is an inexpensive yet durable laptop that has the digital flexibility offered by the lightweight ChromeOS and the physical flexibility of a 2-in-1 convertible laptop. And it's available for under $500.
- 2-in-1 convertible form factor
- Lightweight ChromeOS
- Solid battery life
- Dated processor
- Limited internal storage
Dell doesn't have a lot of Chromebooks in its lineup, but if you're looking for one that's cheap, the Dell Chromebook 3110 2-in-1 is the best option in the lineup.
First off, it's powered by the Intel Celeron N4500, which is a simple but functional CPU. Along with that, you can go up to 8GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, though it depends on your budget and existing sales. At writing time, the top-tier configuration is still under $500, but that may not always be the case. The display is another 11.6-inch panel, and it features the same 1366x768 resolution as the Latitude 3120 above. This is also a convertible, which means the display supports touch input, and you can use it like a tablet.
As is typical for these budget devices aimed at children, the design is all about being durable, and portability takes a back seat. The laptop is 21.5mm thick, and it weighs 3.14 pounds, so it's still decently portable, but the focus is on making it last long. The reinforced rubber edges help the laptop resist drops from up to 2.5 feet onto steel or up to 4 feet onto plywood.
The port selection is actually solid for how small of a laptop this is. It includes one USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack, so it covers all the basics you'd expect and then some.
As with most laptops on this list, whether it fits our budget really depends on ongoing sales, and right now, even the high-end model is available for under $500. That may vary, but you can always step down to a cheaper configuration if you need to.
Dell Chromebook 3110
The Dell Chromebook 3110 is a very basic but durable little Chromebook on a budget. It has enough performance for basic use and a decent battery life as well.
- Good price-to-performance ratio
- Lightweight ChromeOS
- Solid battery life
- Limited internal storage
- Poor build quality
Dell doesn't have a wide selection of Chrome OS laptops available, and the Chromebook 3110 is the best option available for under $500 if you don't want a convertible. This is more of an education device, as many Chromebooks tend to be, and it's specifically geared toward younger users.
The Chromebook 3110 is powered by an Intel Celeron N4500, and it comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. It's not an impressive setup, but with Chrome OS being fairly lightweight, that amount of RAM isn't too bad, and 32GB of storage is also acceptable, considering many files are saved on the cloud instead.
The display is similar to other cheap 11-inch laptops, featuring a 1366x768 resolution that should look good enough on a display of this size. These laptops are also meant for younger children who are very unlikely to notice a difference either way. It also has a 720p webcam above the display.
Similar to the other education-focused models, the Chromebook 3110 is designed to be durable, and it can withstand 2.5-foot drops onto steel, as well as thousands of "free-fall micro drops.” At 2.83 pounds, it's not very light for its size, but it's not a heavy device, either. It measures 20.8mm in thickness, and that bulk stems from the durable design. The ports on the Chromebook 3110 are enough to cover the basics, with one USB Type-A port, one USB Type-C, and a headphone jack.
Starting at just $259, the Chromebook 3110 is meant to be an extremely budget option, so it's only natural that it's not that impressive. If you can deal with its sacrifices, it is a decent machine for young children.
Best Dell laptops under $500: The bottom line
While finding a budget Dell laptop is getting harder and harder, there are still plenty of viable options for under $500. As we mentioned, these prices may vary since some of the laptops are currently on sale. If you're looking strictly at specs, the Dell Inspiron 15 (3525) is clearly the best of the bunch. It has a capable Ryzen 5 processor, a solid display, and good battery life. The Dell Inspiron 15 (3511) is a close second, offering a comparable Intel-powered setup for a similar cost.
However, all the other options are still equally viable for specific use cases. The Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 offers both performance and convertible use if you can stretch your budget a bit. The Vostro laptop comes with Windows 11 Pro, which has some important business features that also might suit your use case. Alternatively, Chrome OS is popular for education, so either version of the Dell Chromebook 3100 is a great option for young students.
If you're looking for even more affordable laptop options, we recommend taking a look at our list of the best cheap laptops you can buy right now. There are many non-Dell options there if you're interested in other brands. That's particularly true for Chromebooks, which admittedly aren't abundant in Dell's lineup. All the Windows-based laptops we recommended either ship with Windows 11 or can be upgraded for free.
Dell Inspiron 15 3525
Although its simple clamshell form factor and basic specs won't turn any heads, the Dell Inspiron 15 3525 is the best Dell laptop currently available for under $500. It's above-average display and solid price-to-performance ratio make it a great budget machine for general productivity, media consumption, and very light gaming.